Pc switchgear cabinet

ABSTRACT

A PC switchgear cabinet with electronic components, a work shelf and a visual display unit. A versatile embodiment with a considerably enlarged work and storage area is created because of a lower element designed as switchgear cabinet, of a center element, which can be used as a work shelf and/or a storage shelf, and of the visual display unit arranged on the center element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a PC switchgear cabinet with electroniccomponents, a work shelf and a visual display unit.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] With continuing developments in the field of control and thefield of communications, such PC switchgear cabinets are used withincreasing frequency. All required components are placed into aspecially designed switchgear cabinet housing. The work shelf ispreferably housed in the switchgear cabinet so it can be pulled out, andis therefore defined by the size of the cross section of the switchgearcabinet. However, particularly elaborately designed pull-outs exist,whose work and storage surface can be increased in the pulled-out state.These pull-outs are not only expensive, but continue to be limited intheir surface area.

[0005] As they have been put to use, these customary PC switchgearcabinets are now required to work together with further peripheraldevices, for which the conventional PC cabinet does not have space. Thesame applies to the testing devices required for maintenance and/orrepairs, and finally the housing of the required electronic componentsin the PC switchgear cabinet is limited to a fixed installation system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is one object of this invention to provide a switchgearcabinet of the type mentioned above but which is considerably moreflexible in the space availability for peripheral devices and for whichthe system layout for the electronic components can be more generouslydesigned.

[0007] In accordance with this invention, this object is attainedbecause the PC switchgear cabinet includes a lower element, designed asswitchgear cabinet, a center element, which can be used as work and/orstorage shelf, and a visual display unit arranged on the center element.

[0008] The switchgear cabinet as the lower element can be embodied inthe conventional way in the form of various systems of built-in unitsand can be integrated into the PC switchgear cabinet. The top of thework and/or storage area can be laid out independently of the dimensionsof the switchgear cabinet, so that there is sufficient space forperipheral devices. With a work surface of sufficient size it ispossible to place peripheral devices, such as a keyboard, scanner, andthe like, on the work and/or storage shelf in addition to the visualdisplay unit. The same applies to required testing devices in case ofmaintenance or repair. The components or devices to be placed into thePC switchgear cabinet are housed in the lower element designed as aswitchgear cabinet, which preferably is designed as a separateconventional switchgear cabinet with appropriate systems of built-inunits, and which can also receive peripherals such as printers and thelike.

[0009] In one embodiment the lower element embodied as a switchgearcabinet contains the electronic components, and thus the stability ofthe novel PC switchgear cabinet is improved.

[0010] In accordance with one embodiment, the switchgear cabinet can beclosed off by a cabinet door which has a viewport and can be locked by alocking device. However, this should not be considered to be alimitation of the embodiment of the switchgear cabinet. The switchgearcabinet can also have inserts, device supports which can be pulled out,and the like.

[0011] In accordance with a further embodiment, the work and/or storageshelf used as the center element can be a part of the switchgear cabinetand cover the top of the switchgear cabinet. However, the work and/orstorage shelf can also close off the top of the switchgear cabinet as aseparate center element and can be connected with it.

[0012] In accordance with another embodiment, the work and/or storageshelf projects past the switchgear cabinet and the visual display uniton three sides. These are the front of the switchgear cabinet and thetwo adjoining sides of the switchgear cabinet. In that case theswitchgear cabinet can be placed against a wall.

[0013] In another embodiment, there is an electrical connection of thevisual display unit, and possibly peripheral or testing devices, and thetop of the switchgear cabinet and the work and/or storage shelf havecable duct openings which are aligned with each other.

[0014] The PC switchgear cabinet in accordance with a further embodimentoffers additional operating ease because the visual display unit isconnected, rotatable around a vertical axis, with the work and/orstorage shelf, and/or the top of the switchgear cabinet by a rotatingelement.

[0015] If an extensible draw-out shelf is contained in the area of thepart of the work and/or storage shelf assigned to the front of theswitchgear cabinet, it is then possible to provide an additional workshelf and/or storage shelf in a simple way when needed just in the workarea of the work shelf and/or storage shelf.

[0016] Working at the PC switchgear cabinet can be matched to customaryoffice furniture, for example desks, because the work and/or storageshelf is embodied as a furniture top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] This invention is explained in further detail in view of anexemplary embodiment represented in the drawings, wherein:

[0018] The single drawing represents a PC switchgear cabinet in aperspective front view.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] As shown in the drawing, the PC switchgear cabinet comprises,viewed from the bottom to the top in a vertical direction, a lowerelement 10 designed as a switchgear cabinet, a center element, which canbe used as a work and/or storage shelf 20, and the visual display unit30 arranged on the work and/or storage shelf 20. The switchgear cabinet10 can be laid out in a conventional manner and as a conventional systemof built-in units, and can also have built-in cubicles for peripherals,such as printers and the like. In the embodiment shown, the front of theswitchgear cabinet 10 can be closed off by means of a cabinet door 12with a viewport 14, wherein the cabinet door 12 can be locked in theclosed position by means of a lock 13. To improve the stability of thePC switchgear cabinet, the switchgear cabinet 10 is fastened on a base11, which projects past the front of the switchgear cabinet 10 with thecabinet door 12. The prior art offers a multitude of variations forequipping the switchgear cabinet 10 with pull-outs, drawers and thelike, as well as the system of built-in units.

[0020] The work and/or storage shelf 20 can be a part of the switchgearcabinet 10 and can cover its top, but it can also be connected with thecover of the switchgear cabinet 10 as a separate center element. In bothcases it appropriately protrudes with the partial areas 21, 22 and 23 atthe front and the two sides of the switchgear cabinet 10 adjoining it inorder to form a sufficiently large work and/or storage shelf. Thereforethe novel PC switchgear cabinet offers sufficient space for furtherperipherals, besides the visual display unit 30, without restricting thework surface on the work and/or storage shelf 20 for the user. Thecenter element can also receive an extensible draw-out shelf 24 in thearea 21, which is a part of the work surface, and which is particularlysuitable for placing a keyboard.

[0021] The top of the switchgear cabinet 10 and the work and/or storageshelf 20 have aligned openings, through which cables are conductedbetween the switchgear cabinet 10 and the visual display unit 30.Moreover, additional peripherals can be supplied with energy throughthese from the switchgear cabinet 10 if there is a need for this, and ifthe required preparations, for example connecting provisions, are or canbe made in the switchgear cabinet 10.

[0022] As indicated by the rotating element 32, the visual display unit30 can be rotated about a vertical axis, so that the display 31 can bechanged within the field of view of the user. In this case the rotatingelement 32 can connect the visual display unit 30 with the work and/orstorage shelf 20 and/or with the cover of the switchgear cabinet 10 in alimited, freely rotatable manner.

[0023] In an adaptation to conventional office furniture, the workand/or storage shelf 20 can also be designed as a furniture top.

What is claimed is:
 1. A PC switchgear cabinet with electroniccomponents, a work shelf and a visual display unit, comprising: a lowerelement designed as switchgear cabinet (10), a center element for atleast one of the work shelf and a storage shelf (20), and the visualdisplay unit (30) arranged on the center element.
 2. The PC switchgearcabinet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lower element embodiedas a switchgear cabinet (10) contains the electronic components.
 3. ThePC switchgear cabinet in accordance with claim 2, wherein the switchgearcabinet (10) is positioned on a base (11) which projects at least at afront of the switchgear cabinet (10).
 4. The PC switchgear cabinet inaccordance with claim 3, wherein the switchgear cabinet (10) is closedoff by a cabinet door (12) which has a viewport (14) and which is lockedby a locking device (13).
 5. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 4, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) is a part of the switchgear cabinet (10) and covers a top ofthe switchgear cabinet body.
 6. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 4, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) is connected with the top of the switchgear cabinet (10) as aseparate center element.
 7. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordance withclaim 6, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) projects beyond at least three sides of the switchgearcabinet (10) and the visual display unit (30).
 8. The PC switchgearcabinet in accordance with claim 7, wherein the top of the switchgearcabinet (10) and the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) have cable duct openings which are aligned with each other.9. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordance with claim 8, wherein thevisual display unit (30) is connected, rotatable about a vertical axis,with at least one of the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) and the top of the switchgear cabinet (10) by a rotatingelement (32).
 10. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordance with claim 9,wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storage shelf (20)projects beyond the front of the switchgear cabinet (10) and twoadjoining sides of the switchgear cabinet (10).
 11. The PC switchgearcabinet in accordance with claim 10, wherein an extensible draw-outshelf (24) is contained in an area of a part (21) of the at least one ofthe work shelf and the storage shelf (20) assigned to the front of theswitchgear cabinet (10).
 12. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 11, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and thestorage shelf (20) is a furniture top.
 13. The PC switchgear cabinet inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the switchgear cabinet (10) ispositioned on a base (11) which projects at least at a front of theswitchgear cabinet (10).
 14. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the switchgear cabinet (10) is closed off by acabinet door (12) which has a viewport (14) and which is locked by alocking device (13).
 15. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) is a part of the switchgear cabinet (10) and covers a top ofthe switchgear cabinet body.
 16. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) is connected with a top of the switchgear cabinet (10) as aseparate center element.
 17. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the at least one of the work and the storage shelf(20) projects beyond at least three sides of the switchgear cabinet (10)and the visual display unit (30).
 18. The PC switchgear cabinet inaccordance with claim 1, wherein a top of the switchgear cabinet (10)and the at least one of the work shelf and the storage shelf (20) havecable duct openings which are aligned with each other.
 19. The PCswitchgear cabinet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the visualdisplay unit (30) is connected, rotatable about a vertical axis, with atleast one of the at least one of the work shelf and the storage shelf(20) and a top of the switchgear cabinet (10) by a rotating element(32).
 20. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe at least one of the work shelf and the storage shelf (20) projectsbeyond a front of the switchgear cabinet (10) and two adjoining sides ofthe switchgear cabinet (10).
 21. The PC switchgear cabinet in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the at least one of the work shelf and the storageshelf (20) is a furniture top.